That 70's Cooking - Sunday Brunch

I decided that because I am doing a theme this month, instead of just a recipe on Wednesdays, I would do a full meal plan.  I also decided that the best place to start was at the beginning, or at least close to it.  Brunch is served.

Today's Menu

Sunday Brunch Fizz

Cheese Strata Deluxe

Extra Special Pancakes

Baked Apple

Sunday Brunch Fizz

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup gin
• 3 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 egg yolk (or white)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoon half & half
• 1/2 cup soda water

Directions:

• Combine gin, lemon juice, egg, and sugar in a blender.
• Cover and blend about 10 seconds.
• Add half & half.
• Blend on low speed for 2 seconds.
• Pour into 10 ounce glasses.
• Add soda water and ice to fill.
• Stir.

Cheese Strata Deluxe

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 2 tablespoon minced green pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon mixed herbs (basil, thyme, and oregano)
• 1 cup soft breadcrumbs (see below)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup half & half
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Dash pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 F
• Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat.
• Add onion, green pepper, and mushrooms; sauté until tender.
• Stir in parsley and herbs.
• Lightly mix breadcrumbs into mixture.
• Spread 1/4 of the crumb mixture into a baking dish
• Top with 1/4 of the cheese.
• Repeat layers.
• Beat eggs in a medium bowl.
• Blend in remaining ingredients.
• Pour egg mixture over the cheese; pierce mixture, with a fork, at 1/2 inch intervals.
• Bake for 40 minutes until a knife inserted comes out clean.

Cheese Strata Deluxe will puff over the top, but will collapse within minutes when removed from oven.

Extra Special Pancakes

Yield: 10 3 inch pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Oil

Directions:

• Sift flour and baking soda together; set aside.
• Beat egg in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.
• Add remaining ingredients and beat until blended.
• Stir in flour mixture until moistened; beat until smooth.
• Heat a large oiled skillet over medium heat.
• Pour about 2 tablespoon batter for each pancake onto hot skillet.
• When underside is golden brown and bubbles on top are breaking, turn  and brown other side.

Baked Apple

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 tablespoon soft breadcrumbs (see below)
• 1 large baking apple
• 2 tablespoon water
• whipping cream, if desired

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and soft breadcrumbs.
• Remove core, and peel top third of apple.
• Place apple in a custard cup.
• Fill centre with brown sugar mixture.
• Pour water over.
• Bake 40 to 60 minutes, basting occasionally, until apple is tender.
• Serve warm with whipping cream.

Soft Breadcrumbs
Yield: 1 slice of bread = 1/2 cup crumbs.
Ingredients:

• Yeast bread slices or rolls

Directions:

• Tear 1 slice of bread (or roll) at a time into a blender.
• Cover, turn blender on and off repeatedly until bread is torn into light, uniform crumbs.
• Put in a plastic bag and toss to mix.
• Press air from bag, seal, and freeze.